LUNCHEON

 Potatoes in Peru

Dr. Mario Tenuta, University of Manitoba, Department of Soil Science is a Soil Ecologist at the University of Manitoba, Department of Soil Science. Mario has a firm rooting in Soil Science and a firm believer that the key to maintaining potato production in Manitoba is the use of management practices nourishing diverse and active populations of beneficial soil organisms.

Mario’s training includes a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto (Botany and Physical Geography), M.Sc. from the University of Guelph (Soil Fertility), Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario (Plant Pathology) through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) laboratory in London, Ontario, and Post-Doctoral work at the University of California, Davis (Nematology). With AAFC Mario worked with Drs. George Lazarovits and Kenneth Conn to determine how to use various organic amendments including liquid hog manure to control Early Dieing of Potato and Common Scab of Potato. At UC Davis Dr. Tenuta worked on the ecology of soil nematodes and their use as indicators of management practices improving soil health.

Dr. Tenuta’s current research includes developing alternatives to pesticides to control soilborne potato diseases, particularly plant parasitic nematodes. The products being examined are liquid hog manure, lime-stabilized sewage sludge and green manures. He is also continuing to use soil nematodes (beneficial and plant parasitic) to indicate management practices improving the health of potato soils in Manitoba. Mario prefers to work in teams as the control of potato diseases and improving soil health requires the expertise of many fields of research.

Maureen Storey, PhD

President and CEO

Alliance for Potato Research and Education

2000 Corporate Ridge

Suite 1000

McLean, VA 22102

Phone: 703-821-0770

Email: mstorey@apre.org

 Dr. Maureen Storey is the first president and CEO of the newly formed Alliance for Potato Research and Education (APRE), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting science, information and education on the role of potatoes and potato foods in a healthy, balanced diet.

 Prior to joining APRE, Dr. Storey was senior vice president for science policy with the American Beverage Association where she was responsible for strategic development and execution of science policy and initiatives that have an impact in the scientific arena as well as positioning the beverage industry as a leader on challenging policy issues.

 Dr. Storey has been director of the Center for Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Policy (CFNAP), an independent, affiliated center of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Maryland-College Park. She also was a research professor at the University, as well as an affiliate research professor for the school’s Department of Nutrition and Food Science. Additionally, in 2005-2006 Dr. Storey served as interim director of the University of Maryland/U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (JIFSAN). Dr. Storey was director of the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy at Virginia Tech (CFNP). She also served as a private sector advisor and childhood obesity expert to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. Dr. Storey’s previous positions include senior vice president of health and nutrition marketing at Virginia-based Hayes, Domenici & Associates and executive management positions with the Kellogg Company.

 Receiving her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Minnesota, Dr. Storey was a National Cancer Institute postdoctoral training grant recipient at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has published numerous scientific papers in prestigious peer-reviewed journals such as: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Risk Analysis, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Journal of Nutrition, and Journal of the American College of Nutrition. Her work covered a wide range of topics including beverage consumption and regulatory considerations involving functional foods and nutraceuticals. She is a member of the American Society for Nutrition, the Institute for Food Technologists, the American Dietetic Association, The Obesity Society, and The American Public Health Association.

Rick Peters

Dr. Rick Peters received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from the Department of Environmental Biology, University of Guelph in 1990 and 1998, respectively. He conducted one year of post-doctoral work in 1999 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison studying diseases of peas and forages. He then returned to Canada to conduct studies of potato pink rot on a contract with the Prince Edward Island Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture. From 2000 to the present, Dr. Peters has been employed as a research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (Environmental Health, Integrated Pest Management) in Charlottetown.

His research emphasis includes the control and management of pathogens of potato, carrots and other vegetable crops. The biology/ecology of organisms in agricultural ecosystems and the impacts of management practices on microbial population dynamics are also areas of investigation. The development of alternative management strategies and sustainable agricultural systems are important goals of the program.

                                Dr. Sri Ranjan is a Professor in the          Department of Biosystems Engineering with expertise in Irrigation and Drainage including Water Quality and Soil Salinity Issues. He has developed courses in Design of Water Management Systems and has been teaching Agriculture Degree, Diploma, and Engineering students since 1990.  He has been conducting field research on agricultural hydrology, agronomic and environmental benefits of tile drainage/subirrigation.  He is the recipient of the 2011 Jim Beamish Award, given by the Canadian Society for Bioengineering, recognizing his outstanding contributions to teaching and research in the area of Soil and Water Engineering. He has given lectures on water management issues at meetings in Canada, USA, China, India, and Bangladesh.

Professor (Ranjan) R. Sri Ranjan, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Department of Biosystems Engineering,

University of Manitoba,

FEATURED      SPEAKERS011

KeynOTe

frank van Schaayk

Frank van Schaayk joined McCain Foods in 1992, holding senior roles within the organization including Corporate Vice President responsible for the company’s global relationship with McDonald’s Corporation and Managing Director of McCain Foods Holland. In 2005, he became Chief Executive Officer of McCain Foods USA and in 2011 he took on the added responsibility of Canada, Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.  Between 2005 and 2010 he also served on the company’s Operating Board of Directors. McCain Foods Limited employs more than 20,000 people and operates 53 manufacturing facilities on six continents, generating annual revenues of CDN$6.5 billion. Frank is responsible for leading McCain’s continued growth throughout The Americas in support of the company’s strategic plan and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. He reports to the Global President and Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining McCain Foods Frank was President and Chief Operating Officer of Ben’s Ltd, a regional wholesale bakery company in eastern Canada, as well as holding a variety of roles in Engineering and Strategy functions with Shell Canada Ltd.

Frank has extensive not-for-profit board experience and has been actively involved in Church governance and adult and youth mentoring programs.

Frank is a graduate of St. Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada and the Nova Scotia Technical College with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He holds a Chartered Directors certification in Canada is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors in the United States and is a graduate of Harvard University’s Advanced Management Program.

Frank, his wife Linda and their two children reside in Hinsdale, Illinois, U.S.  

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Dr. Neil C Gudmestad is a Professor of Plant Pathology at North Dakota State University (NDSU) where he obtained his Ph.D. in plant pathology in 1982.  Prior to obtaining his degree he worked as a plant pathologist at the North Dakota State Seed Department, the seed certification agency, where he was responsible for developing diagnostics for all seed borne pathogens in the state. During that period, he established one of the first tissue-culture based clean seed stock program for potatoes in the United States. 

He has conducted research on the diseases of potato for over 31 years. His program has conducted research on a number of foliar and tuber diseases of potato that are soil or seed borne.  His research program is recognized internationally for their studies on pathogen diagnostics, fungicide resistance and on the management of foliar and soil-borne diseases of potato.

 Dr. Gudmestad has been honored by a number of organizations including Meritorious Service Awards from the Northern Plains Potato Growers Association in 1996 and the National Potato Council in 2000. North Dakota State University recognized his research program in 1991 and again in 2001 by naming him Researcher of the Year.  He was also recognized in 2006 by NDSU when he was presented the universities’ most prestigious research award, the Fred Waldron Outstanding Researcher.  More recently in 2007, Dr. Gudmestad was named one of the inaugural University Distinguished Professors, the highest distinction the university can bestow.

                                              Bruce Shewfelt, Msc., P.Eng.,   

                                                             is Chief of the Water and Bio Systems Engineering Unit, for the Agri Environmental Services Branch of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and is located in Morden, Manitoba.  Bruce has a Msc. in Water Resources Engineering from the University of Manitoba, and has worked for PFRA/AESB for 27 years. Bruce’s leads a team of engineers focused on irrigation and drainage systems, watershed hydrology and modelling, and agri green technologies.  His experience in tile drainage systems goes back to 1994 and currently he is co-lead of a joint AESB/University of Manitoba study into controlled tile drainage and sub-irrigation of potato and corn crops in Southern Manitoba. 

Spuds & Suds Social Entertainer - Dean Gunnarson

Dean Gunnarson has entertained and amazed audiences across the U.S.A., Canada and around the world with his exciting and truly one of a kind stage shows.  He can perform anywhere from a 4-6 minute guest spot or headline for 90 minutes with his full stage show of amazing and incredible escapes.  There is always lots of hands on audience participation mixed with edge of your seat excitement in every show. Gunnarson adds tons of humour and laughter to help the audience escape for a few moments when anything becomes possible.

 Phillip Mutulu

Currently; Director, Flood Forecasting and Coordination, Manitoba Water Stewardship (MWS)

Phillip has been with Manitoba Water Stewardship since 2007.

-Prior to joining MWS Phillip worked for a Water and Environmental Engineering consulting firm in Calgary where he was involved in several water related projects including hydrologic modelling, storm water management and environmental impacts assessment.

Phillip was also a research associate for four years at the University of Calgary, investigating and developing river flow and flood forecasting techniques.

Before immigrating to Canada, Phillip worked for several years as a TV and Radio weather forecaster as well as a research meteorologist in Kenya. He also taught hydrology and meteorology at a local University.

He holds PhD and MSc in Water Resources Engineering and a BSc in Meteorology.

Phillip is married with 3 children. His hobbies include travelling, composing music, singing, playing the guitar and the piano.

David Tarkalson

Was born and raised in Salmon, Idaho U.S.A.

Prior to attending college he worked for his grandfather who owned and operated a dairy and beef operation.

Colleges attended and degrees

            >Rick College, A.S. (1992), General Studies

            >Brigham Young University, B.S. (1996) and M.S. (1998),   Agronomy

>North Carolina State University Ph.D. (2001), Soil Science

-Post Ph.D. professional employment:

 From 2001-2006, Assistant Professor, Nutrient Management Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, West Central Research and Extension Center, North Platte, NE.

2007-Present, Agronomist/Soil Scientist, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, Northwest Irrigation and Soils Research Laboratory, Kimberly, ID.

His Recent and Current Research Focus Areas:

            >Evaluation of bed planting configurations for potato production.

>Nitrogen and irrigation management in sugarbeet and corn production under strip tillage.

>Evaluation of deficit ET water input strategies for sugarbeet production.

            >Nutrient cycling in Pacific Northwest agronomic systems.

Tracy Shinners-Carnelley, PhD

Tracy Shinners-Carnelley is employed as Director, Research & Quality Enhancement at Peak of the Market. She spends much of her time working with growers in their fields, storage sheds, and packing houses.  Tracy uses her unique blend of experience in research, extension, and industry involvement to undertake activities in the areas of disease prevention, crop management, and quality enhancement.

Prior to joining Peak of the Market, Tracy spent 10 years with Manitoba Agriculture, Food, and Rural Initiatives, first as Plant Pathologist then as Potato Pest Management Specialist.  During this time she gained experience in the area of horticultural crop production and pursued her passion of working closely with the industry on challenging disease management and production issues, both provincially and nationally. 

Tracy is originally from Nova Scotia where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Pest Management) from Dalhousie University.   She completed a PhD from the University of Alberta (Plant Science) before settling in Carman, MB.  She currently resides there with her husband Trevor and two boys Nicholas and Griffin. 

JANUARY 25 & 26, 2012